Some Facts, Lights, and Stories

The second lighthouse we were able to see in Michigan was the Point Iroquois Lighthouse.

• Built in 1870
• Operated for 93 years
• Stopped operation in 1963 when an automated light was placed in the channel.

Funny story about this stop...
When we arrived, we noticed a large group of jubilant individuals along the boardwalk near the lighthouse - obviously celebrating something and having a great time. We decided to walk along the shore, when we were offered food in exchange for a photo opportunity. We said we were happy to take a photo of the group without any compensation, but the older ladies insisted we take plates and plates of food... as they had enough for an army. They offered chips and salsa, and even beer after verifying our age. We, of course, politely turned down the beer, saying we were driving. And one of the gentleman replied, "Well, that's not stopping us!" We managed to sneak away with only two brownies and a cupcake - eager to get back on the road before they did.


And the third lighthouse on the coast was Whitefish Point Light on Whitefish Point.

• The oldest active light on Lake Superior, 1849
• Current steel tower built in 1861
• Automated since 1971

This area is known as "The graveyard of Lake Superior" because more vessels were lost here than any other part of Lake Superior.

Why so many?

1. The eastern end of the lake is very congested where the lake narrows down like a funnel and up and down bound ship traffic must pass.
2. Visibility is poor in this congested area from fog, forest fires, and snow has caused numerous collisions and groundings.
3. The nature of the largest lake itself, with the great expanse of over 200 miles of open water can build up terrific seas during a Superior "Northwestern" storm.

In the 1880's, there were over 3,100 commercial vessels compared to less than 200 today.

Between 1816 and 1975, around 320 lives have been lost in over 300 shipwrecks along Whitefish Point.


Interesting Story of the M.M. Drake's Rudder & Tiller:
(1882-1901)

The 201-foot M. M. Drake was towing the 212-foot schooner, Michigan. There was a severe storm, and the Michigan began taking on water. The captain of the Drake maneuvered to rescue members of the Michigan crew, but the two vessels collided, causing the Drake to take on water, too. Records show that both crews were saved, except for the cook of the Michigan. And that the Drake was insured for $35,000 and the Michigan for $19,000.


The Drake dove 50-feet to the bottom of Lake Superior just 6-miles west of Whitefish Point. The wreckage was first discovered in 1978 by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society's dive team.


Some interesting facts about Lake Superior:

• Discovered in 1629 by French explorer Brule
• Largest expanse of fresh water in the world.
• Lake Superior is the largest, deepest, cleanest, and coldest of the lakes. It is so large it could swallow all the other lakes and 3 additional Lake Eries.
• The water of Lake Superior is chemically pure.
• Area: 31,800 square miles
• 1500 miles of coast
• Greatest length: 350 miles
• Greatest breadth: 160 miles
• Greatest depth: 1333 feet, 602 feet above sea level; about 21 feet above Lake Huron
• The freighters in Lake Superior carry more tonnage each season than the combined tonnage of the Panama, Kiel, and Suez Canals.

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The warning sticker on a cherry picker truck.

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Just because we are on the road doesn't mean we can neglect chores, so we spent the night in Marquette to do laundry and schedule a check-up for Sally the Subaru.

While packing the car for our next leg of the trip, Richie had an interesting encounter with a lady in the hotel parking lot. He shares details below:

I was out at our car grabbing a few things, when as I walked away and locked Sally with our "clicker" a lady kindly comes up and asks, "Would you know why my clicker has stopped working?" I explain to her that there's a little watch battery inside and that sometimes they go out. "You mean, like that?," she said, snapping her fingers. I kind of shrug and say, "Yeah." After a somewhat uncomfortable pause, I explain that you can get those batteries anywhere - like a Radio Shack or a Wal-Mart - and that they're easy to pop in. She looks around, hands slightly raised, head shaking, "But there's nothing around here! I'm stranded!"

Another pause. My brain goes into over-gear. I'm thinking, "Sure there's no Radio Shack or Wal-Mart. But there's a hotel, a cinema and a grocery store - I would hardly call that nothing. But wait. Could it be possible that she thinks the only way to get into her car is with the magic clicker." Choosing my words carefully as not to offend, I offer, "Your ignition key should open the car."


Now until then she had been holding the clicker, while the keys themselves hung from the other side of the key chain, forgotten. She opens her hand, looks down, and it appears for the first time she gazes at these strange, archaic, mechanical devices. I imagine her thinking, "Huh. I've never noticed those before. Could it be that easy?"

Now there are several keys that appear to be "ordinary" keys, but only one that is "extraordinary". It's longer, larger, somehow more distinguished. With her other hand she pulls the one key from the bunch, much like Arthur drawing the sword from the stone. It's not dainty like other keys she's wielded. It has some heft to it and demands respect and a steady hand. With renewed determination she sidles up to her car and deftly unlocks it with a simple counterclockwise wrist rotation. Realizing how silly she had been, she thanks me profusely. She confesses, "I can't believe I didn't think of that!" I admit I was thinking the same thing.